Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially formulated products containing various additives, and their potential relationship with cognitive health has raised increasing concern, particularly among older adults. This study examined the association between dietary processing levels and major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) among older adults. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the second phase of the Birjand Longitudinal Aging Study (BLAS), conducted between November 2021 and May 2022. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and categorized according to the NOVA classification. Cognitive status was assessed by a neurologist using DSM-5 criteria, neuropsychological tests, interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when indicated. Logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 1,017 older adults were included, with a mean age of 72.4 years, and 50.2
The Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) protocol has recently gained popularity for bedside assessment of venous congestion. Older frail multimorbid patients with multifactorial causes of venous congestion may theoretically benefit from this protocol. However, its diffusion across different care settings remains uncertain. We conducted a scoping review of studies with original data using peer-reviewed databases (MEDLINE, Scopus), to map the areas of application of VExUS up to November 2025. Data were extracted following a standardized approach and categorized by clinical setting (inpatient vs outpatient, ward type and specialty). Study design, sample size, mean age of participants, indications, outcomes and key findings were collected for each eligible study. We found that VExUS was frequently used in Intensive Care (37 studies out of 65 included in the review), but not in Internal Medicine (6 studies) or Geriatrics (0 studies)wards. The mean age of participants was >65 years old in only 22 studies. The most frequent indications for VExUS were congestive heart failure, cardiothoracic surgery monitoring and acute kidney injury. Study designs were exploratory in many cases and the assessed outcomes were very heterogeneous, with inconclusive findings on prognostic performance and clinical effectiveness. In conclusion, VExUS represents a feasible and potentially useful method of estimating venous congestion in critically-ill patients, while the evidence in acute geriatric patients remains scarce. Studies assessing feasibility, reliability, diagnostic and prognostic value of VExUS in older patients should be pursued in the near future, before this ultrasound protocol can be implemented into clinical practice.
Osteoporosis is common in older adults, with devastating personal and societal effects, most commonly after hip fracture. Many comorbidities are associated with an increased fracture risk, with Parkinson’s disease, the second commonest neurodegenerative condition, strongly associated with fractures. Individuals with dementia have been identified as having poor outcomes after fracture. Multimorbidity, generally recognised as the presence of two or more comorbidities, is common as we age and can represent a challenge to successful aging. One example of this is the common co-existence of dementia with Parkinson’s disease; this intersection can be especially harmful to bone health and fracture management in this group and makes appropriate preventative strategies critical to prevent the devastating consequences of hip fracture, especially given the poor outcomes after hip fracture among patients with dementia more generally. New techniques using machine learning may support best practice, though knowledge of how best to incorporate these technologies into international guidelines remains an urgent priority. Overall, clinicians, Parkinson’s disease patients and their carers should be proactive in their approach to bone health to reduce the risk of devastating fragility fracture.
Digital device use has been associated with cognitive function; however, device ownership and internet search use are often considered together despite potentially differing levels of cognitive engagement. To examine the associations of digital device ownership and internet search use with low cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study included 821 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 78.4 ± 5.7 years; 91.7
The WHO Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework operationalises intrinsic capacity (IC) for community screening, but the combined and longitudinal effects of cumulative IC impairment in rural Asian populations remain insufficiently characterised. To examine cross-sectional and three-year longitudinal associations of single and cumulative ICOPE impairments with cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in rural Taiwan. Dual-design analysis of routine ICOPE Step 1 data (2023–2025). Mutually adjusted and Firth penalized logistic regression (N = 1,658) estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR). A pre-specified “Double-Hit” indicator (concurrent sensory and physical/nutritional impairment) was evaluated by ROC analysis (DeLong tests). Cumulative impairment was modelled continuously. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) modelled depressive trajectories (454 participants; 1,018 observations), with inverse-probability-of-retention weighting. Depressive symptoms were independently associated with hearing (aOR = 2.57, 95
